Senate Republicans moving 2-year budget in chamber

RALEIGH — North Carolina senators are getting their first attempt to change a proposed state government budget plan for the next two years.

The Senate Appropriations Committee planned to meet Tuesday morning to discuss and vote on the proposal that spends roughly 2 percent more than this year, or nearly $21 billion.

Republicans who drew up the plan say it improves the state's fiscal condition after years of strain from the Great Recession and cleans up previous poor budgeting decisions. The proposal would spend $1.2 billion more on Medicaid expenses through mid-2015 and retools the state's response to rural economic development and public water infrastructure projects.

Democrats and advocacy groups criticized the proposal for eliminating state employee and teacher positions and again cutting pre-kindergarten and Smart Start programs.